Mayor’s Office

Mayor Jorge O. Elorza

As Providence’s 38th Mayor, Jorge O. Elorza is driven by the belief that the strength of a community lies in the ability of its residents to share equally in its growth and progress. Since taking office in January 2015, Mayor Elorza has prioritized social, economic, educational, financial, and health equity and opportunities for Providence neighbors and businesses.

Understanding that our society benefits when every person can rise, succeed, and be heard, Mayor Elorza is confident there is no better investment Providence can make than in the future of its youth. By making long-term investments in Providence’s schools and students, Mayor Elorza is inspiring the next generation to learn and empowering them to succeed by supporting them inside the classroom and outside.

Mayor Elorza believes in empowering the voices of residents to ensure that the City’s investments should support our businesses and residents with resources to grow and advance, so they can face new challenges. This requires a thoughtful approach that fosters integrity and equity across all departments and work. Through innovative workforce development programs and public-private partnerships, Mayor Elorza is preparing Providence’s workforce to meet the changing demands of our 21st-century economy while creating equitable and sustainable employment opportunities for all residents.

Mayor Elorza believes that cities should be accessible and adaptable to best engage the community in dialogue and decision-making. In March 2016, under his leadership, the Mayor’s Center for City Services launched the PVD311 system for 24/7 access to constituent services. By streamlining processes, providing customer service training, and continuously encouraging city staff to look for efficiency in all transactions, City Hall has taken strides in providing equitable access across languages and mediums to high-quality city services that meet residents where they may be.

As a member of the United States Conferences of Mayors, Mayor Elorza serves as Vice-Chair of the Standing Committee on Community Development and Housing, co-chairs the Committee for Immigration Reform, and is a member of the Conference’s Advisory Board. The Mayor has been an outspoken national voice on issues such as immigration reform, healthcare, and environmental protection, placing an emphasis on the work done at the local level.

Born and raised in Providence, Mayor Elorza is a graduate of Classical High school, the University of Rhode Island, and Harvard Law School. Prior to being elected Mayor, he served as a Providence Housing Court Judge and co-founded the Latino Policy Institute while he served as a professor at Roger Williams Law School. Mayor Elorza lives with his wife, Stephanie, and his son, Omar, in the Silver Lake neighborhood.